Pathology assessment with impedance measurements using convergent bioelectric lead fields
First Claim
1. A method of measuring impedance for pathology assessment in a living being, the method comprising:
- injecting a current between first and second electrodes implanted in a body of a living being, the first and second electrodes defining a first electric lead field in the body, the first electric lead field oriented between the first and second electrodes;
measuring a potential difference between third and fourth electrodes implanted in the body, the potential difference resulting from the current injected between the first and second electrodes, the third and fourth electrodes defining a second electric lead field in the body, the second electric lead field oriented between the third and fourth electrodes, wherein the first and second electric lead fields converge near an assessment site within the body, but are substantially separated otherwise; and
calculating an impedance value based on the potential difference and the current injection, and using the impedance value to assess a pathology near the assessment site.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for measuring impedance for pathology assessment in a living being using convergent bioelectric lead fields is disclosed, including injecting a current between first and second electrodes implanted in a body of a living being, where the first and second electrodes define a first electric lead field oriented between the first and second electrodes. A potential difference is measured between third and fourth electrodes implanted in the body, where the potential difference results from the current injected between the first and second electrodes. The third and fourth electrodes define a second electric lead field oriented between the third and fourth electrodes. The first and second electric lead fields converge near an assessment site within the body, but are substantially separated otherwise. An impedance value is calculated based on the potential difference and the current injection, and is used to assess a pathology near the assessment site.
-
Citations
39 Claims
-
1. A method of measuring impedance for pathology assessment in a living being, the method comprising:
-
injecting a current between first and second electrodes implanted in a body of a living being, the first and second electrodes defining a first electric lead field in the body, the first electric lead field oriented between the first and second electrodes;
measuring a potential difference between third and fourth electrodes implanted in the body, the potential difference resulting from the current injected between the first and second electrodes, the third and fourth electrodes defining a second electric lead field in the body, the second electric lead field oriented between the third and fourth electrodes, wherein the first and second electric lead fields converge near an assessment site within the body, but are substantially separated otherwise; and
calculating an impedance value based on the potential difference and the current injection, and using the impedance value to assess a pathology near the assessment site. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
-
25. An implantable medical device for measuring impedance for pathology assessment in a living being, comprising:
-
a pulse generator to inject a current between first and second electrodes implanted in a body of a living being, the first and second electrodes defining a first electric lead field in the body, the first electric lead field oriented between the first and second electrodes;
a voltage measurement circuit to measure a potential difference between third and fourth electrodes implanted in the body, the potential difference resulting from the current injected between the first and second electrodes, the third and fourth electrodes defining a second electric lead field in the body, the second electric lead field oriented between the third and fourth electrodes, wherein the first and second electric lead fields converge near an assessment site within the body, but are substantially separated otherwise; and
a processing unit to calculate an impedance value based on the potential difference and the current injection, and to use the impedance value to assess a pathology near the assessment site. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
-
-
36. A method of measuring impedance phase angle for pathology assessment in a living being, the method comprising:
-
injecting a current between first and second electrodes implanted in a body of a living being, the first and second electrodes defining a first electric lead field in the body, the first electric lead field oriented between the first and second electrodes;
measuring a potential difference between third and fourth electrodes implanted in the body, the potential difference resulting from the current injected between the first and second electrodes, the third and fourth electrodes defining a second electric lead field in the body, the second electric lead field oriented between the third and fourth electrodes, wherein the first and second electric lead fields converge near an assessment site within the body, but are substantially separated otherwise; and
calculating an impedance phase angle value based on the potential difference and the current injection, and using the impedance phase angle value to assess a pathology near the assessment site. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39)
-
Specification